Ncsj Fears That a Soviet Jew is Facing Execution

The National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ) today expressed deep concern about the fate of Raphael Adzhiashvili, 49, from Tbilisi, sentenced to death in the 1978 Donetsk trial, after the organization learned of the execution of his co-defendant, Mohmed Abassov, 55, of Baku. The execution, last Tuesday, was also confirmed by the U.S. State Department. Adzhiashvili, who appealed for clemency over two months ago, had his appeal denied by President Leonid Brezhnev who is also the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Confirmed reports received by the NCSJ state that Abassov’s family was notified two weeks ago of the imminent execution. Executions in the Soviet Union are usually carried out by firing squad.

Adzhiashvili, a Jew, the father of three children, and Abassov, a Moslem, went on trial with 52 co-defendants for allegedly stealing factory surplus textile for resale. Although the prosecutor asked for sentences of 10-15 years for all of the defendants, four received death sentences. After appealing to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, two of the four condemned men – Gabriel Sepiashvili and llya Mikhalshvili – had their sentences commuted to 15 years in jail. Sepioshvili’s clemency, decreed by the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, Vasily V. Kuznetsov, was announced two months ago.

GEISHIS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN LABOR CAMP

Meanwhile, the NCSJ reported that Grigory Geishi, 20, of Leningrod, who has been jailed since July 14 on charges of “draft evasion,” was sentenced Friday to two years in a labor camp. His parents plan to appeal the sentence. Geishis’ attorney made no attempt to defend her client and, in fact, stated that Geishis was guilty, the NCSJ reported. In his summation, the prosecutor noted that the trial was not political in nature. He said that Geishis, like everyone else of military age, was not immune from serving in the Soviet Army.

In his presentation, Geishis said: “I want to live as a Jew in Israel. I am proud of my actions and I stand behind them. If it were not for the fact that I want to emigrate to Israel, I would surely serve in the Soviet Army.”

Geishis was expelled from the Communications Institute on the day he applied for an exit visa to Israel in October, 1978. He was refused permission to emigrate because of his mother’s alleged access to classified information. Authorities in Leningrod claim that he was notified of his draft commitment last year and chose to ignore orders to appear before a local recruitment office. Geishis stated that he never received the orders, the NCSJ said.